Google says that the latest Gmail feature that allows you to make phone calls is only available in the US, but that's not true. If you set Gmail's interface language to English (US), you should see the "Call phone" option in the chat roster. You can also buy credit using Google Checkout.
If you're not in the US and you want to add credit to your account, make sure that you DON'T CLICK the "Upgrade your account" button from Google Voice. This feature is only useful if you are in the US, since it lets you get a Google Voice number. Unfortunately, if you click on that button and you're not in the US, you'll no longer be able to buy credit.
Here's what you'll see after clicking on "Upgrade your account":
I don't think there's a way to downgrade your account, so the best thing to do is to avoid clicking that button. Google could easily solve this problem by hiding the button for non-US users or by allowing users to stop the upgrade.
Update. You can cancel the upgrade if you use a US proxy (try UltraSurf if you use Windows).
Update 2. A Google spokesperson said: "We're looking into this and will keep you updated."
Thanks as you confirmed what i did mention yesterday in a topic on my blog ( http://www.italib.net/2010/08/google-voice-gmail.html) as it works for me (outside US)& i think for the moment it's useful for who has a relatives,friends,, in US or Canada :)
ReplyDeleteI managed to unlock my Google Voice by connecting to www.google.com/voice with a http proxy. It seems Google resets the lockout on account and it's possible to use it without proxy again.
ReplyDeleteUS-based proxy, of course. :)
ReplyDeleteNow I get it. I couldn't figure what happened. Any advise on how to quickly and easily access Google Voice through a US-based proxy?
ReplyDeleteus based proxy helped me too, thanks. xroxy for the rescue
ReplyDeleteUS proxy helped me to sign in for voice, but then I can't go back to a non-proxy config. That's the bad thing here i guess. And as I have no US phone number I can't complete my registration nor cancel it. So I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere...
ReplyDeleteI have clicked the "Upgrade" button and I can no longer buy credit as I live in Canada. When clicking that button a confirmation box popped up stating it is only for the US. I wouldn't buy and credit as I don't know anyone who lives outside of Canada, besides come relatives who live in the US.
ReplyDeleteI think that now that Google has added this call button, Canadians will soon be getting the full version Google Voice (with a Google number).
Don't be so panic (even I was almost click that button!). The Googlers will fix it. No worry in Canada, the Google Voice will arrive!
ReplyDeleteSeems that setting your language to en-US isn't always enough. Calls in Gmail is currently blocked in Israel - but works fine via a tunnel/proxy
ReplyDeleteI think the best fix would be to roll out Google Voice to Canada! Thanks for the GMail phone it rocks!
ReplyDeleteanyone know how to unlock your account through a US proxy?
ReplyDeleteI have strange problem, I'm using a proxy, but can't switch the interface to English version. My header is always in bulgarian language no mather what I try to do...
ReplyDeleteAlso the page look a little strange, look it
http://temppp.s3.amazonaws.com/GVoice.png
I try to open it with http://www.google.com/voice/?hl=en
I just tried to see if my relative in India can call me using google talk. If I login here, the "Call Phone" option appears, but when he logs in from India, it is not there. The interface language is set to "English (US)" (at least when I login).
ReplyDeleteAgree with Irha...does not work for me either.
ReplyDeleteThere has to be some more option to enable this from India.
My interface language is set to English US by default and I'm in India. However, the option doesn't show up.
ReplyDeleteLike I mentioned here, including a fix (HotSpot Shield) http://dyve.posterous.com/re-enable-google-voice-after-clicking-upgrade
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if Google would roll out Google Voice to Canada, but I won't be holding my breath, they've been saying for over a year now that "it will be coming soon". Just what does soon mean to Google? As for the Google spokesperson keeping you updated, yeah, they've said that before too.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thanks Dylan. It worked perfectly.
ReplyDeletehttp://dyve.posterous.com/re-enable-google-voice-after-clicking-upgrade
ReplyDeleteThanks Dylan, it worked aright! :)
I used the Tor Browser Bundle, connected to Tor, logged into Gmail, loaded Google Voice and got the option to cancel my upgrade! I realize I probably got lucky having Tor randomly assign me a US based node, but it was so quick and easy that it's worth a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Alex, Ultrasurf was so easy to use (although IE, lol)!
ReplyDeleteBugger, Too late. I pressed it already :(
ReplyDeleteI'm in Maldives,.. call phone option is there for me and i can call US for free too.. But how to buy credit from here? can anyone plz tell...
ReplyDeletevisit http://abtevrythng.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-use-gmail-call-features-outside.html and know how users can use Gmail Call features from anywhere in the world (outside US) to call US and Canada for free
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to deaf father talk on phone whie I instant messaged him in text using Gmail chat. Install Google Phone but now instant texting no longer works since he is "offline" for some reason eventhough he can still email me.
ReplyDeleteLike I said before, this is not true.
ReplyDeleteI use the English (US) version from Israel - and I do not see the "Call phone" option.
Maybe you (and others who reported?) see this option, but not everyone.
strange.. I downloaded the addin from http://www.google.com/chat/voice
ReplyDeleteonce running, it has an add credit button on the softphone interface
further to above ... to be more specific... when in your gmail inbox - drop down the chat menu.. click the handset icon to run the softphone.. click the 10 cent credit - a small menu drops down - choose "add credit" - follow the bouncing ball
ReplyDeleteI just changed to English-US and magicaly the call button appeared, I imediatley called my own home based number using +44 UK ommiting of course the first area code digit IE: +44 ********** and it worked straight away, no hint of a charge, although there is some indication of a rate showing on the right of the call pad $0.08........anyhow the call went smoothly and i shall try it out on some more numbers later, so far so good, is there a limit to these free calls if I am calling inside UK to UK numbers I WONDER???
ReplyDeleteMy configuration worked just fine for the first time.
ReplyDeleteCalls to UK aren't free. Check the rates.
ReplyDeleteCHEERS! For the heads up Alex, just tried to ring my O2 mobile the phone rang but when I answered it call ended? But the first call I made was to my BT home line and that worked? So where do the charges come in? can you clarify?
ReplyDeleteYou need to buy credit if you want to make phone calls in other countries than Canada and the US. Each Gmail user has an initial credit ($0.10) to test the service.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh! OK! So that explains the first call, although I did keep it short, probably would have run out then? OK! So let me expand on that without doing anything else? Am I correct in assuming that I can ring to my cousin from here in the UK to her in Canada and? Do I ring her landline? or her mobile? You seem like the GURU here would appreciate another clarification CHEERS MATE!
ReplyDeleteYou should be able to call your cousin and anyone from Canada and the US for free this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks......I shall try it out later. Appreciate the help, and hopefully this will clarify things a little better for other dumbskulls like me LOL! CHEERS MATE!
ReplyDeleteSame here. Also the mobile application doesn't work with the "Gmail only" version of Voice. Really bad & ugly launch, a lot of weird edges and problems :(
ReplyDelete@Guille -bisho-:
ReplyDeleteWhich mobile application?
I'm in Canada and have a Google Voice account with a US Google Voice number (back from Grand Central days), yet I have no problem with GMail calling or adding credits to it.
ReplyDeleteCan I use Google Voice-PHONE CALL to my friend
ReplyDeleteusing only laptop internet. I have NO cellphone
or landline phone?
The Upgrade button is no longer displayed to the users outside US. It has been removed now.
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.elangovanr.com/post/Dont-click-Upgrade-your-account-Button-on-Gmails-Call-phone.aspx
@thembones9 This service is using internet only. It doesn't require any cellphone or landline phone.
ReplyDeleteBeing one of the first beta testers of GrandCentral and Gizmo project I got a full upgrade to Google Voice from outside US.
ReplyDeleteWhat is still missing is full SIP support and integration with Skype out of the box.
I was able to buy a credit for $10 but I cannot make a call. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteThanks
If I happen to be in US - or using an US proxy - and I go through the 'upgrade' all the way - i.e. get Google Voice phone number, when I am back outside US, can I still buy credit?
ReplyDeleteBTW, is Google Voice phone number free?
it's nice topic . thank for sharing .
ReplyDeletegclub
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